Tractor hitch arm mounting



Nov. 5, 1957 w, J, MELDAHL 2,812,083

TRACTOR HITCH ARM MOUNTING Filed June 25. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NOV. 5,1957 w MELDAHL 2,812,083

TRACTOR HITCH ARM MOUNTING Filed June 25, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 AGE/VT Iw. J. MELDAHL 2,812,083

TRACTOR HITCH ARM MOUNTING- Nov, 5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 25.1954 WVENTOR:

WALDEMAR J. MELDAHL Filed June 25. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 NOV. 5, wMELDAHL 2,812,083

TRACTOR HITCH ARM MOUNTING lNVEA/TOR:

FIG. 8 'WALDEMAR J. MELDAHL United States Patent 6 TRACTOR HITCH ARMMOUNTING Waldemar J. Meldahl, Racine, Wis., assignor to J. I. -CaseCompany, Racine, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application June 25,1954, Serial No. 439,242

Claims. (Cl. 214-140) This invention relates to a tractor, and, moreparticularly, it relates to a tractor hitch arm mounting suitable foreffecting raising and lowering of a cantilever type of load on atractor.

It is an object of this invention to provide a mounting on tractor hitcharms whereby cantilever types of loads can be handled by the tractor.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a simple buteffective and durable tractor hitch arm mounting which provides for thehandling of loads at an extended distance from the tractor.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a tractormounting which can be readily and easily attached to the hitch arms of atractor for supporting a scoop, or the like, which can thereby becompletely manipulated to dig, lift, dump, be vigorously jolted to shakedirt therefrom, and so forth.

.Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading thefollowing description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side perspective view of a preferred embodimentof this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side perspective view of a fragment of theembodiment shown in Fig. 1 but shown from the side opposite to that ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side perspective view of the embodiment shown inFig. 1 but shown from the side opposite to that of Fig. 1 and withoperating parts in a different position.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectionalview taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

v Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig.4.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofthe lift bucket shown in Fig. l but with the bucket in the raised andunlocked dumping position.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the lift bucket shown in Fig. 7 but withthe bucket in the locked dumping position.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Fig. 1 shows a rear fragment of a conventional tractor 10 containing theusual pair of rear wheels 11 and their respective fenders 12. Anoperators seat 13 is located intermediate the wheels 11 in any wellknown manner. Mounted onto the rear of the tractor 10, in a mannerhereinafter described, is a scoop or lift bucket assembly 2,812,083Patented Nov. 5, 1957 provide a mounting for the wheels 11. Forsimplicity and clarity of description, the drawings of some of the rearend of the tractor is diagrammatic and, therefore, a transmissionhousing 18 is as shown mounted on the housing 16 intermediate the wheels11. Since the tractor is of a conventional construction, it is notdeemed necessary to describe it more completely.

Suitably mounted on the tractor 10 is a hydraulic power system 21 whichconsists of a power cylinder housing 22 and a connecting rod housing 23,the latter of which is attached to horizontally extending shaft housings24 and 25. It should be understood that the power cylinder contained inthe housing 22 is connected to a shaft 30 which is within the housings24 and 25. Connector arms 27 and 28 are non-rotatably attached toopposite ends of the shaft 30 to extend transversely and generallyrearwardly therefrom.

Referring again to the axle housing 16, it will be seen that a pair ofmounting brackets 29 are attached to opposite ends of the housing bybolts 31 which attach to plates 32 extending across the bottom of theaxle housing 16. The rear ends of the plates 32 project beyond thehousing 16 and are turned upwardly to form spaced apart and verticallydisposed ends 23. A pin or shaft 34 is horizontally mounted between theends 33 in holes formed therein to be suitably secured to the plate 32,all in a manner to space the pin 34 above the bottom of the plate 32. Inthis construction, the rear of the tractor 10 is provided with a pair ofthe horizontally disposed shafts 34 with one located at each oppositeend of the axle housing 16.

Tractor hitch arms 36 and 37 are each mounted on the shafts 34 toproject therefrom rearwardly of the tractor 10. The arms 36 and 37receive the shafts 34 in a hole formed through the end of each of thearms and the latter are thus pivotally mounted onto the tractor 10. Itwill be further seen that the power system 21 is connected to the hitcharms 36 and 37 by links 38 and 39, respectively. Brackets 41 arepreferably welded to the top surfaces of the arms 36 and 37 to pivotallyconnect to the lower bifurcated ends of the links 38 and 39 by pins 42as shown. The upper ends of the links 38 and 39 are provided withthreaded adjustable sections 43 and 44, respectively, which pivotallyattach to the connector arms 27 and 28. With this arrangement, the hitcharms 36 and 37 are pivotally mounted onto the rear end of the tractor10, and, by operation of the power system 21 which rotates the connectorarms 27 and 28 to raise their projecting ends up and down, the hitcharms are consequently raised and lowered at their projecting ends. Ofcourse the threaded sections 43 and 44 of the links 38 and 39 permitindependent adjustment of the level of the arms 36 and 37 as desired.

The foregoing description of the mounting and actuation of tractorhitch'arms is that of a conventional type of tractor and, therefore,need not be explained further. It should now be observed that the liftbucket assembly 14 is raised and lowered with the hitch arms since thebucket is attached thereto in the preferred manner hereinafterdescribed.

Figs. 2 and 6 best show the important feature of this invention in thepreferred manner of mounting a pair of bucket supporting arms 46 and 47to the hitch arms 36 and 37, respectively. Each of the hitch arms has aspacer plate 48 located at the rear of the arms and transverse thereto.One end of the plate 48 is cradle-shaped to receive a U-shapedreenforcing member 49 which is preferably welded to the plate 48. A pin50 extends between the upper ends of the U-shaped member and is fastenedthereto in a manner to completely enclose the hitch arm and, therefore,the plates 48 move with the hitch arm pivotal movement. The outside endsof the plates 48 are provided with a hole which receives the ends of the3. bucket support" arms and the latter are preferably welded to theplates as at 51. In this manner the arms 46 and 47 are rnountedpn thehitch arms.

meeting therewith." Together, the hookand cap, which are conventional,leave therebetween a space suitable for receiving a horizontallydisposed lift pin 54. The latter extends betweenvertically disposed liftplates 56and 57 t of the arms 46 andf47 'areraisedto a higher or alesser position) The plates 56 and 57 are preferably welded to a pair ofplate brackets 59-- which are welded at 60 to thesupport arms 46.and-47passingthrough an openlng in the brackets 591 Apair of second plates 61is positioned opposite to the plates 59 and they also contain openingsthrough which the support arms pass. The platesand the arms are Weldedtogether as shown. The lift pin and. lift plateconstruction is the sameon both: of. the arms.

and 47. A supporting channel member or cross brace 62 is preferablyprovided and positioned horizontally between the plates 59 and 61 andbetween the arms 46. and 47 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The channel'62 ispreferably bolted to the plates 59 and 61. by bolts 63 which passthrough allthree members, and, as such, the structure is stable andunified.

With particular references to.Figs. l and 3, and with the foregoingdescription in mind, it will be apparent that.

actuation of the hitch arms 36 and 37, through the power system 21,.willcause the support arms 46 and 47 to be raisedand. lowered. The hookedends. 52 of the hitch. arms provide an upwardv support of a cantilevertype of.

load at.the outer ends. of. the support arms 46 hand 47. Thus, the;hitch arms maintainthe support armsupwardly throughthe 1ift,pins.54andthe connecting plates. 59.and 61.

It, will be seen that thebucketassernbly 14 consists ofthe,arn1s.46..and 47fiWhlCh are elongated and tubular and. whichareslightly bent downwardly at their. rear ends. The ends .of .thearmspivotally, support alift bucket or scoop, 66 mounted on ,trunnions orpivotpins 67 which are located one on eacharm and which are mounted in acircular dished plate 6 8.,which,is preferably welded to the sidesof thebucket 66. The pins. 67 are therefore transverse to, the opposite. sidesof the bucket 66. The latter is of the; scoop, type in that it consistsof three closedsides anda bottom 69 with an open fourth side. Tofacilitate loading ,the bucket, the front edge of the bottom, 69 isprovided with tines 71 which are connected thereto in any suitablemanner, such as that shown.

An important feature of the bucket assembly 14 is the provision of alock or retainer assembly 72 which is mounted on the arms 46 and 47 tothe rear of the bucket 66, As best seen in Figs. 7 and 8, the assembly72 contains a pair of bucket hooks or latches 73 which are pivotallyattached one to the inside of each of the bucket support arms 46 and 47.by pivot pins 74. The forward edges of the latches are provided withupper and lower recessesor notches. 75 and 76, respectively, spacedat apredeterminedposition,therealong. A coil spring 77 .is connected at oneend to a bracket 78.welded to the side ofthe bucket, and, at;the otherend, the spring 77 is connectedto a bracket 79 welded to the latch 73.It ispreferred that a spring 77 and. the brackets 78 and 79 be providedon eachside of thebucket as shown. The bucket and theglatches are thusbiased together by the connecting springs 77. It is further preferredthat the springsi be adjustably connected to the brackets 79 topermitadjustment of spring tension as desired, For this reason thesprings are preferably connected'to the latches 73by adjusting boltsfflas shown. To protectthesprings 77 from the material being scooped,it ispreferred that the rear end ofthe hitch arm;37 -pro-- vided' w it h anupturned hook il and a top pivotal cap 53 a skirt. 80..be. attached. to.the. top of thescQ p. side to.

by being mounted onto the rod 82, is a V-shapedstrap or connector 84which ispreferably attachedto eachend of the rod 82 to insure a uniformpivotal actuation of the latches 73. A central portion. 86 ofthestraphas a hook 87 attached thereto, to connect to a trip rope 88 orthe like. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the rope 88 preferably extends fromthe strap 84 to the tractor seat 13 t where it is held by a hook 89which attaches the rope below theseat forthe convenience of'theoperator,

To cornpletethe description-of the scoop. latch 855C137 bly, a latchretainer 9L,"shownin Figs. 7 and8, is attached to the'top rear side ofthe scoop 66. In this embodiment, the,.retainer. 91 can, consistgof.arod which extends horizontal ly across thewidth ofthe back. ofthescoopand.

slightly beyond the opposite sidesthe reofL A pair of brackets9.2..attach the retainer to the scoop since. the brackets areriveted. orotherwise secured to the bucket. and they are formed topartly encirclethe rod and retain the same, all in any well known manner.

Theoperation of thebucket includes .the raising of it, fromthepositionshown in Fig. l to the position shown in Fig. 3, by. the tractormounting described. In the course ofir ai sing thehbuckebit isassumedthatthe bucket or scoop'contains material: which. is beingshoveled and, therefore, the bucket retainer assembly. is locked in theliftposition shown in .Figs. 1 and3. In this position, the bucketlatches 73..have their l'ower. notches 76en gaged with the retainer 91.The bucket support trunnions 67 are located on the. sides, ofthebucketto be slightly to the rear of the center of gravity. of theloadedbucket. Thus, the trunnions, are located between. the, retainerassembly andv the center. of gravity of the scoop. In,so

arranging the bucket pivotalsupport, it will beobviou s the springs 77to return the latches to a positioncausing engagement between the uppernotches 75 and the retainer 91. In this position, the bucket islockedwith respect to the tractor and the dumping of theload can be controlledsince the, bucket isnot free to swing. Further, the bucket canbe jarredor shaken, by the operation of .the tractor.

lift mechanism, to. remove all of the load from the bucketleaving noneof it .adhering to the bucket. Without locking the bucket in the dumpingposition of Fig, 8, most of the jarring action of the tractor would loseits etiectivenessof shaking the bucket since the bucket would merelyswing freely in a substantially uniform motion.

After the bucket is emptied, it can be restored. to the shovelingposition by the operator pulling on the rope. 88. The initial pull willunlatchthe. retainer and a further pull will cause the bucket to rotateabout. the. trunnions 67 to, return to the position shown in Figs. 1 and3. This rotation isaccomplished through the rope pull which istransmitted to the springs. 77 and then to the bucket. When the buckethas so. returned, the retainer 91' will be received within the lowernotches 76 of the latches 73, and again the bucket is locked inposition. An alternative method .of repositioning. the bucket is .toplace the bucket on the ground as shown in Fig, 1 and thereby allow itto rotate about the .trunnions without pulling itthrough the spririgs77. When. the downward movementof the bucket support arms has been The,release of the.

adequate to rotate the bucket to the shoveling or digging position, thelatches 73 are then reengaged with the retainer 91.

As mentioned at the outset, the bucket can also be used for scraping ofeither the ground or the material being shoveled. In that operation, thebucket is locked in the dumping position of Fig. 8 and it is of courselowered to the scraping position. It may be preferred that the tines 71be removed from the bucket as the scraping will be done with that edgeof the bucket. Since the bucket can be positively locked in the dumpingposition, it provides a means for scraping in either the forward or therearward direction of tractor movement.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown anddescribed, the scope of the invention should be limited only by theappended claims.

I claim:

1. On a tractor having a pair of laterally-spaced, rearwardly-extendinglongitudinal hitch arms pivoted on said tractor for movement in verticalplanes, and terminating rearwardly in hitch claws, in combination, apair of scoopsupport arms, one spaced outwardly closely adjacent each ofsaid hitch arms generally parallel thereto, said scoopsupport armsprovided forwardly with lateral upwardlyopen saddle means for engagementwith said hitch arms, a transverse member, each end thereof securedintegrally to one of said scoop-support arms, depending brackets on saidtransverse member adjacent said claws and transverse pins passingthrough said brackets and said claws.

2. On a tractor having a pair of laterally-spaced, rearwardly-extendinglongitudinal hitch arms pivoted on said tractor for movement in verticalplanes, and terminating rearwardly in hitch claws, in combination, apair of scoopsupport arms, one spaced outwardly adjacent each of saidhitch arms and generally parallel thereto, said scoop-support armsprovided forwardly with lateral saddle means for engaging said hitcharms from below, a transverse member secured normally and integrallybetween said scoop-support arms providing a laterally rigid frame,depending brackets on said transverse member adjacent said claws andtransverse means engaging said brackets and said claws for cooperativelaterally-rigid, vertical movement.

3. On a tractor having a pair of laterally-spaced, rearwardly-extendinglongitudinal hitch arms pivoted on said tractor for movement in verticalplanes, and terminating rearwardly in hitch claws, in combination, apair of rearwardly-extending scoop-support arms, one spaced outwardlyadjacent each of said hitch arms, said scoop support arms securedforwardly to said hitch arms, a transverse member securing saidscoop-support arms together as an integral laterally rigid unitrearwardly of said claws, depending brackets adjacent said claws andsecured to said transverse member, and hitch means on said brackets toengage said claws.

4. On a tractor having a pair of laterally-spaced, rearwardly-extendinglongitudinal hitch arms pivoted on said tractor for movement in verticalplanes, and terminating rearwardly in hitch claws, in combination, apair of scoopsupport arms, one spaced adjacent each of said hitch arms,and provided forwardly with upwardly-open saddle means for securing saidhitch arms therein, a transverse member secured integrally between saidscoop-support arms and normal thereto, brackets adjacent said claws andsecured to said transverse member, and means to secure said claws insaid brackets for lifting engagement therewith.

5. On a tractor having a pair of laterally-spaced rearwardly-extendinghitch arms pivoted on said tractor for movement in vertical planes andterminating rearwardly in hitch means, in combination, a pair ofscoop-supporting arms, one outwardly adjacent and generally parallel toeach of said hitch arms, said scoop-support arms secured at theirforward extremities to said hitch arms by means of an upwardly-opensaddle, a transverse member extending normally to said support arms andintegrally secured thereto, bracket means secured to said transversemember and associated with said hitch means so as to limit said supportarms to movement in vertical planes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,341,007 Wommer Feb. 8, 1944 2,398,585 Hayward Apr. 16, 1946 2,543,496Holopainen Feb. 27, 1951

